One of the questions we’re often asked is “Why is it worth buying bespoke or custom made furniture?” Well there’s the short answer – “because it’s fab”. Then there’s the longer answer, which is “because you don’t your home to look like everyone else’s”. But there’s much more to it than that.
You see, bespoke furniture is an extension of your personality - if you don’t have the same personality as every other person on the planet, then you probably don’t want to own the same things as every other person on the planet. Bespoke furniture is something a bit different and quirky, and here in Melbourne we’re known for being quirky, aren’t we? Not many cities can say that they have both glorious beaches and trams, modern malls and alleys full of vintage clothes. As a city, “different” is what we do. Just ask any tourist who’s attempted to do a hook turn just how different our traffic rules can be.
That’s one of the reasons why bespoke businesses are booming in Melbourne right now – from shoemakers to perfumers, there are new bespoke options all the time. It even made the “Herald Sun”, who said about Melbourne “there is a large community of people who crave handcrafted, made-to-measure goods that are made with love.” And we’re here to add some gorgeous furniture into the mix, made – as the Sun says – with love.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that bespoke businesses struggle during a recession…but you’d be wrong. Talking to a UK newspaper in 2008, just as the economy was collapsing, the editor of the retail magazine Drapers summed up the appeal of bespoke in tough times. She said: "Buying bespoke is about finding your own style and investing in it, rather than falling prey to every trend. It becomes about spending wisely and not wasting money.” Naturally, that’s what we believe as well – if money’s tight, it’s better to invest in something that will last and won’t go out of fashion, and that applies to furniture as well as clothes.
That’s why bespoke businesses all over the world have come out of the recession intact, with big brands like Louis Vuitton still growing their businesses in 2013. Bespoke looks to be the future of retailing, whether that’s clothing, jewellery or furniture. So get yours now before the rush starts…!
